We're well into Day 2 of what Seth Abramson and others are calling "Operation Orange Chicken," in which President Donald Trump, on a flight from Turkey and under a credible assassination threat by Iran, boarded Air Force One for the cameras and was led by the Secret Service out of a back exit into a catering truck, which shuttled him to an alternative military aircraft for transport.
The press, including CNN's Jake Tapper, and the Democrats who write their press releases are incredulous that Trump would use the press corps as "decoys." Cabinet members were on Air Force One as well, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.
CNN reporter Jennifer Hansler asked Rubio on Tuesday morning if he put Americans under threat by having them fly on Air Force One, the most secure jet in the world, flanked by fighter jets. "He did not answer." Good.
"Mr. Secretary, did you put Americans at risk by having them fly on Air Force One while it was under threat?" I asked Rubio this AM.
— Jennifer Hansler (@jmhansler) August 11, 2026
He did not answer.https://t.co/r7zB2CBm7n
— Extremely Careless (@Shanghaibeast) August 12, 2026
You aren’t important.
— EducatëdHillbilly™ (@RobProvince) August 11, 2026
— Frank フランク (@richardrahl1086) August 11, 2026
🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱🥱
— JimmyB 🇺🇸 (@MOTT7) August 12, 2026
You’re an idiot asking an idiotic question and you were rightfully ignored. The president’s safety takes precedence over yours. If reporters are worried about the risk then don’t fly with the president.
— Sonia P 🧡🇺🇸🦅🍊 (@skylar_04) August 11, 2026
Recommended
“CNN, did you put Americans at risk by reporting on gaps in the defensive capabilities of Air Force One?”
— Daniel Arabia (@ArabiaDaniel) August 11, 2026
Will not answer.
Hey, remember when a gunman tried to shoot-up the White House Correspondents' dinner?
— American Viking (@BourbonAndSavvy) August 11, 2026
Pretty sure anyone around Trump is under threat. If that bothers you, maybe talk to the people on the left and in the media inciting the violence?
We remember the video of that dinner. They were all so scared they grabbed bottles of wine and made a break for it.
You're just mad because no one wants to take a bullet for a journalist anymore. And for good reason!
— MasterThief, Diogenes of the Hellsite (@MasterThiefEsq) August 11, 2026
Because that was a stupid question.
— K (@mrsrdc1) August 12, 2026
Sec Rubio was on that plane himself. He is an American. Everyone had military protection.
As it wasn't his decision, your question was without merit.
— ACHarlan (@ACHarlan) August 11, 2026
Rubio is an American. He was on the plane. He didn't cry to Hansler about how he was left to die.
Why does CNN have just the worst people ?
— Nancy (@sooo_nance) August 12, 2026
This is so revealing of our stupid, self-important press.
— Garbage Hillbilly (@NoKoolAide) August 12, 2026
Because it was a stupid fucking question.
— WeThePeople (@people_wee) August 12, 2026
It's called protocol. Same as any other President. You just have TDS.
The person that leaked the information put Americans at risk.
— John Henline 💎 (@JHenline) August 11, 2026
Could that have been the journalists at The Washington Post?
Rubio is an important member of the administration — stop asking him stupid questions.
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